Roundabout-->Help choosing a new HDTV-ready TV, please..

[jbenj01]

I directed my question to Roundabout b/c i just read a post where he stated that he was a Sony tech.. but input from anyone w/b appreciated.

OK.. i currently have a 36" Sony KV-36XBR250.. found out i bought a year too early -- darned thing is not hdtv-ready, i.e., not 1080i capable.. (think that's the jargon.??)

Anyway, i'm in the market for a new TV.. Plasmas are too expensive and I do not want a rear-projection.. I prefer a direct-view/tube, hdtv ready, 16:9 a/r and between 34" to 40" in size.. remember, i prefer a widescreen tv

I've got my eye on the the Sony KV-34XBR910.. Any opinions on that TV?? Also, I've heard/read that Hitachi's make some damned good TV's.. Is there a Hitachi that competes with the 34XBR910??

Please advise.. Thanks!

[Roundabout]

jbenj01,
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. Yes, I was a Sony tech for 16 years, left the co. about 3 years ago. I didn't specifically work on TV's although I can repair them, just like any other electronic product.
The best advice I can give you, is from my own experience - Sony TV's are great - in general. Of all the products we saw in the shop, they were by far the least problematic. I used to be jealous of the TV tech, we were swamped with broken phones, walkmans, cd players, receivers, and other assorted junk. I used to compare him to the Maytag repairman (well, they aren't quite that reliable, but you get the idea). I owned Sony TV's, mostly XBR models and never had a moment's problem with them. They ran for years without any difficulty. I bought some for my friends, and they still have them. One is over 13 years old and still looks like the day it was new. The only problem one time on one of them (not mine) was a broken solder joint, not that unusual, seeing how old it is getting and how many thousands of hours it's been on.
BTW: I have no reason to recommend Sony's anymore, since I don't work for them now. They really are better, in every visual and reliability test that I've seen. If I thought they were crap, I'd sure tell you - I'm not exactly enamored of the company after what happened to me (long story). They make plenty of junk items, throwaway stuff. But the TV's are their flagship product, and they take the time to keep them up to snuff.
I don't know where you live, but in this area there is a Sony Outlet Store where you can buy discontinued and B-stock merchandise at substantial discounts. You might wanna check if you have one within driving distance, or I can check for you. They also have sales there, and lower prices even more.
I wish I could tell you more about the TV you mentioned, I did check the website and see it goes for $2500.00 - You can get the KV-34HS510 (see link) http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProduc...4HS510&Dept=tv for $2000.00 (These are Sony website prices, you can find for less, of course) and it has similar specs. Most of these would likely use the same PCB/MCB with the same components, so sometimes the cheaper model is a better buy. A lot of their products are like that. Sometimes, new models are the exact same as the old one, with only a cabinet/cosmetic change. This makes people think new products are coming out all the time. Just to give you an example, when I came there in the early 80's, there were only 3 models of car stereo in their entire product line, and by the time I left, there were literally hundreds. They were coming out faster than I could learn how to fix them. I remember the day they dumped a CD player on my bench and said "fix it".. My response? "What the hell is it?"
That was in 1983, and it was a CDP-101, the first model of CD player they made. Built like a tank. Weighed like one too. By the time I left, there were 250 disc changers and they cost a fraction of what the 101 cost. Retail for the 101 was $900.00 - I got one from the company store for 450.00 - what a bargain.
Which brings up another point. Markup. The average markup on most electronic products is 30 - 40%. That's why they can sell them in the outlet store for less, they are still making a profit, just not as much. Kinda sucks, tho, paying 40% extra to a retailer.
Enough for now, hope this helps a little, sorry I couldn't give you more advice, but if you really want to know, I can ask someone who still works there if there are any specific problems with the model you're interested in - if you are worried about reliability. Odds are, there aren't any. Like I said, the TV's continue to be good, in spite of a general deterioration of quality across product lines. Probably true for every mfgr. - they have to compete on price points. :P
P.S. Got your PM. Glad I was able to help you with your PC problem - wow, you got a great deal for $675.00 - unbelievable! Hope you can get a great deal on a TV too...

[jbenj01]

Hey Roundabout..

Wow! Thanks for the detailed info--much appreciated. Yeah, i've owned a 3 Sony tv's and was impressed respects clarity and reliability. i'm really curious to compare an xbr to Hitachi's comparable top model, side by side.. regardless, i'm very pleased with sony tv's (and plus, aesthetically, they are the best looking, imo..)

Wish i could say the same for that pos DRU-500UL burner i just bought late last year.. damned thing just plain gave out on me - contacted Sony 2x within a month (almost 2 months ago) and have not heard back... oh well..

i pulled the trigger on a 34XBR910 tonite (paid waaaay too much.. ). But i couldn't resist when i saw it live!!! All i can say is, it was the nicest looking set amongst the 40 or so on display at ABT Electronics just outside of chicago. the hd picture was superb.. guess my 36xbr250 is going on ebay.. hehe..

Again, thanks very much for your help!!

[Roundabout]

jbenj01,
Glad I could help out a little. If you are having problems with a Sony product, be sure to call their 800# for customer service. They moved the whole operation to Fort Meyers, Florida a few years ago (we used to answer customer calls before that). They've got hundreds of operators to answer and correct your problem. I gotta tell you, you need to make more noise about your problem. They'll give away the store to keep you happy. I saw them replace TV's that were years old, just because the customer wasn't happy with it "from the beginning". I don't know how many things I saw replaced that was unbelievable - like after they dropped something and cracked the cabinet, they give a new one because "the case wasn't strong enough". Crazy stuff. My suggestion is to take it higher to get satisfaction, and be sure to mention how many Sony products you own and have purchased in the past, and how "disappointed" you are and "shocked" that you're having a problem with anything made by Sony...
I've heard this a million times and it almost always works. Even if the product is out of warranty, doesn't matter. They either give a free repair, or replace the product with a new one. Tell them you are willing to pay the difference for a newer model that isn't a "lemon". Ask to speak to a supervisor if you don't get satisfaction. Threaten to write to Park Ridge (Sony HQ is in Park Ridge, NJ) and get the name of the supervisor who "won't help a loyal Sony customer". You'll get action, believe me.

[zzyzzx]

I have to agree with the above person about Sony TV's but the rest of their stuff is crap. Still wouldn't buy a Sony because they are overpriced.

[Faustus]

Sony is expensive. Because in general with TVs they are hands down the best. At least Pre HDTV personally I've not look at the HDs myself. Since they know they are the best and since the type of tube the use does cost more money to produce they can charge more and get away with it.

Its kinda like an iPod, it cost a WHOLE LOT, but they know its the best player on the market, so they get that much for them.

[Craig Tucker]

Philips are also well worth a look, very good quality products. I have had my 36" CRT widescreen Philips for 3 years and am delighted with the picture, sound and build quality. When I bought it it was around £500 cheaper than the comparable Sony Wega product.